Watercooling in a small case

[Junglist]

Hello!

I've just about had enough of my big Corsair Obsidian 800D. It's too big and now the front button has become sticky so I've decided (to not just fix it) that I want to get a smaller case.

I've had my eyes on the fractal design arc mini r2 for some time as it's nice and small and can fit a 360 and a 240 radiator within and I think that should be more than enough for a CPU and GPU loop.

Are there any other cases with a similar size that offer relatively the same watercooling capabilities?

This is a few months away yet as it means I would need to buy a new Mobo/CPU/RAM combo and probably a new PSU as well. But just fishing for some ideas.

 

[.:SAmSuNG:.]

I would avoid going too small as they are a pita to work on.

 

[spiralz]

Hey I've just come from a 900d watercooled monster with 3 rads and dual D5's to some thing much smaller but same spec more or less....

Couldnt be happier its cool, quiet and i Have my desk back!

Check it out here;

http://uk.************.com/b/4LvV3C

 

[Junglist]

I would avoid going too small as they are a pita to work on.

Yeah, the Arc Mini would be much harder to work in and would require a lot of planning but I jut want something much smaller. The 800D is a pleasure to work with but it's just too big for what I want these days.

Hey I've just come from a 900d watercooled monster with 3 rads and dual D5's to some thing much smaller but same spec more or less....

Couldnt be happier its cool, quiet and i Have my desk back!

Check it out here;

http://uk.************.com/b/4LvV3C

Nice build dude! Seems you are going even more extreme than me. Started off even bigger and ended up even smaller! Only thing that worries me about that build is the external rad. That's why I love the Arc Mini. really small and can fit a hell of a lot of cooling.

What kind of reservoir are you using? That's the bit I'm having the most difficulty planning.

 

[D1craig]

I've done a cpu and gpu in an evolv itx. Was a challenge. Not sure it looks as smart as most on here would want it to but I'm OK with it. going to get me a parvum matx after Xmas and stick it in there.

 

[almightydutch]

I built a 280 and 240 rad into a Fractal Arc Mini so its possible with these smaller cases.

That was a task though, had to cut an opening at the bottom so the 240mm rad would fit in without losing the front bays. Moved the HDD caddy so it was next to PSU instead of underneath the front bays but overall I like the compactness of it compared my own 800d at home.

The picture below shows it in an almost complete state, it was never going to be a pretty build but considering I didn't have to buy much WC kit for this I was pleased with the result.

 

[spiralz]

What kind of reservoir are you using? That's the bit I'm having the most difficulty planning.

There is no separate res as such I've used an EKWB predator 240 in the front and has a ddc pump and small res built onto the top of the rad, saves a lot of space and tubing and reduces flow restriction as well.

Also the rad isn't on the outside its inside I just put the fan on the back due to the full cover motherboard water block If i used a normal CPU block the fan would have fitted in no problem, i Just figuered I dont sit and look at the back of the PC anyways plus it sticks out no more than any of the cables that hang out the back

 

[Doobedoo]

Here is mine I'm using a Fractal Design R4 which looks a similar size to the Arc.

240mm up top, 240mm in the front and a 120mm in the rear. Sorry for the tissue pic but I haven't fully completed it yet, got few little bit's to sort but it works well and the temps are good.

 

[Junglist]

Ah perfect. Both of you two have something very similar to what I'm gouing to do. Though I'm going to remove the optical bay and have a 320mm up top and a 240 on the front.